I have lived in Holmes Chapel since 1992. Having previously worked for the Littlewoods Organisation and Asda Stores, I moved here with my wife and two children to take up a position with the Britannia Building Society in Leek. I later worked for Focus DIY in Crewe and then the Cheshire Building Society in Macclesfield.

I spent most of my career in Human Resources (it was called ‘Personnel’ when I started out). As Head of Reward in several organisations, I specialised in the design of pay systems, employee benefit programmes and pension schemes.

I retired from full time employment in 2012, but continued doing part time management consultancy work. Since 2015, I have been a Trustee Director on the Board of the Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water Pension Scheme.

I first became involved with the Parish Council when I volunteered to join the Steering Group which developed the Neighbourhood Plan, completed in 2016. I have since remained on the Strategic Planning Task Group which monitors and reviews the Neighbourhood Plan. I was also a volunteer on the Traffic & Transport Working Party.

I was a Parish Councillor from 2021 to 2023, during which time I chaired the Amenities Committee and was a member of the Strategy & Finance Committee. I rejoined the Council in 2025.

My main interest during retirement is travel. My wife and I are trying to see as much of the world as we can, whilst we are still able. As well as seeing new places, we go to France several times a year to visit our daughter who lives in Paris with her husband and our two grandsons.

Our son and his wife have stayed local and are homeowners in the village. So, I have a strong family interest in preserving the best that our village has to offer. As a Councillor, I am pleased to have the opportunity to help fulfil the Parish Council’s vision for Holmes Chapel to be a vibrant and prosperous hub of the local rural community, offering an attractive place to live, work and play for people of all ages.

Cllr Watkinson is a member of the Strategy & Finance Committee.